Mother says daughter denied lunch because she was 15 cents short

ORANGE CITY, Fla. — A mother told WKMG her daughter was denied lunch at a high school in Florida because she was short 15 cents.

Kimberly Aiken says her daughter, a sophomore at University High School in Orange City, tried to buy lunch on her first day of school and was told her account balance was short 15 cents. The student is registered for the school’s free and reduced-cost lunch program, but it “hasn’t taken effect yet,” according to WKMG.

When the student told the cashier she did not have money to settle the debt from last school year, the worker threw the food in the trash, according to Aiken.

A spokesman for Volusia County Public Schools said the school system would be contacting the family to resolve the issue.

When Aiken’s daughter brought money to school on Wednesday to settle the balance, she was told the 15-cent shortage was “taken care of.”

John Harrison

straubdavid9

Although you should try to make sure you are prepared, the actions by the cafeteria worker was TOTALLY unreasonable,and in fact indefensible. Surly they know the child will be back the next day? I would have reached into my pocket if need be and take care of it. Kids NEED their nutrition to succeed throughout their day …… that was just mean at this point.